IT IS NOT MY WILL, SAYS THE LORD!
IT IS NOT MY WILL, SAYS THE LORD!
19th DECEMBER 2019
“ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.Do not err, my beloved brethren.Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” – James 1:13-17
Even though God’s ways are often incomprehensible and mysterious, He does not contradict His revealed will or moral nature. To believe that God deliberately causes us harm, or allows the enemy to overcome us, or that God has been defeated by the devil thereby making the devil or the witch come after us, is to betray God, and to diminish His sovereign power over life generally. Yes, God can and does permit painful trials on His saints to refine their faith. For instance, Job was innocent (but certainly not sinless) yet God chose to permit his suffering to prove His point to Satan that Job is good and obedient. Job was fully restored eventually. Therefore, when we go through the trial of faith, God will heal and restore us eventually. When God heals, He leaves no scar behind; though we may remember the past, such remembrance always gives us the cause to give glory to God for His power and might to transform the human spirit and to perfect our lives in line with His plans for us. Generally, God is in control of all things, BUT it is not His will for us to suffer calamity or losses without justification. We suffer due to our wrong choices and disobedience to the principles and laws of God. When we disobey God and act against His divine nature, it is only wise that divine justice brings us back on track. Therefore, whether as an individual, a country or a church, we are bound to suffer someday for our wrongdoings, and such suffering will continue until we change our style of living. Even when God tries our faith, such tests and trials are administered to check our weaknesses as well. For as long as we are yet to be perfect or holy like our heavenly father, we will continue to experience the test of faith in other to refine us spiritually and to make us holy eventually. Whether we are undergoing a test of faith or suffering as a result of the wrong choices we have made, there is justification for what we are passing through. The tests of faith will continue until we learn the lesson God has for us. Also, calamity will cease when we change and mend our ways for good and in obedience to God’s Word. The word of God is telling us today to live in obedience to God’s command in order to avoid evil and suffering. God loves us but does not control our actions. Except we are going through some tests of faith, our wrong choice of evil over good, are also the reason we suffer calamities. When we make wrong choices, God permits disaster, calamity or unpleasant circumstances to happen. This is very important in order to fulfill His divine purposes. But God is certainly not the author of evil in our lives, even though he permitted the occurrence of such evil. Our evil tendencies form the basis of such happenings. Starting from today, restructure your life along the path of obedience and good works. Seek the face of God in all your actions. Let your life be a positive example to others. If we all change, our country will be good, our families will be great; and the church will be a safe haven!
PRAYER
Father in the name of Jesus Christ, today, I renounce every spirit of disobedience and lust. Lord, I believe your nature is to bestow favor and honor on your children, and you withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly. Therefore, I declare your favour and love upon my life from this day onward, and the works of my hands are established forever. AMEN
FURTHER READING: Daniel 9:14